Chapter 25 - The Cliff

Feng Mian calmly walked over to the familiar cliff that was next to the ocean. The warm sea breeze swept through his unkempt hair. "Aww, this is why I like this human world. But darn those trashy humans are really starting to piss me off. Especially the one who stole my cultivation. When I meet him I'm just going mercilessly to bite into him," he grumbled softly.

His feet led him to the edge of the cliff where the man was extremely high. He knelt down and caressed the smooth but slightly shiny rocks. "Spirit jade... at least A grade. Wow, this is really a steal," he mumbled and sat down silently.

In the distance he saw the Mer Island that was peacefully standing in between the foggy ocean. In fact, the small piece of land was also a part of this cliff. A long time ago it had separated and formed a small island which in turn became a home to the sea Mers.

But unlike the Mer Island, this cliff's spiritual stones still had their spiritual energy intact because but was not discovered by any. The roots of the spirit hoard ran deep in the cliff and only a part of it was exposed above ground.

Mian placed a hand on the ground and felt it. The energy was deep within but it was so vast that it would definitely help him breakthrough to soul formation.

He swayed around in glee. "I will definitely find that guy and take my cultivation back. I swear this upon the heavens," he whispered.

The sky thundered at his vow, sealing it with his life energy.

"Now let's begin." he stood up, patted his back and started drawing a circular enchantment. It comprised many mystical swirls and connected lines that could amply the spiritual energy in that area.

Since he had lost almost all his energy, his body would not be able to absorb much of the energy from the spiritual stone hoard. With the help of this encashment he would help improve the absorption ten folds.

He sat down in the middle with his legs crossed up. His breaths evened, and he closed his eyes.

The fresh ocean breath entered his body and slowly circulated through his veins and meridians, making them shiver in glee. 'ahh this is working... is working!!'

The fine pores on his skin opened wide, sucking in the spiritual energy around him. The energy gushed like a river into his meridians and travels through undisturbed towards his lower belly. This is where his core had been before it completely disappeared.

Spiritual energy slowly swirled in that spot, forming a small whirlpool of energy.

Mian sighed, letting out a breath of black miasma. After this bad energy left his system, his whole body felt like it was reborn. It was like he was floating on air.

His lashed trembled slightly, feeling the euphoric feeling of breakthrough. 'Qi condensation! So soon! This is awesome!'

Slowly his level rose breaking at least ten bottles necks in the Qi condensation stage. 'I'm gonna breakthrough to foundation establishment stage.....' he thought and let out a breath again.

This time his whole body started oozing a black liquid. This was all the dark substance that had accumulated because of the impure air in the surrounding. The impurities soon got burned away, leaving his slightly pink flesh exposed.

His clothes had long gone at this point. He was on his nature's suit, concentrating full in breaking through to core formation.

The human was watching all this from a distance. Greed grew in his minds seeing the naked figure near the cliff. He licked his lips and silently waited for the right moment to attack.

Little farther away in the shores of Gulia, Qu wren startled awake. He swiftly glanced around. "Hachin wake up. Something is wrong!" he shook his friend's shoulder.

Groaning, Hachin sat up tiredly. "What's wrong??"

"I—I don't know.... I feel something ominous. It's as if something bad is coming our way..." wren bit into his nails. "We should leave this place soon."

"No, we just got here. Besides, do you wish to go back into the ocean, I'm pretty sure the Mers and that huge bird would chase us," Hachin whispered with a slight frown. His hand unknowingly gripped his underbelly.

The pain came back with a vengeance.

The sharp biting pain along his spine almost made him faint.

"ahhh," He laid down and rolled himself up in a prone posture. "Let's just..... rest,"

"No....something is wrong.... I just... something doesn't feel right." wren gripped his chest. It was the unsettling feeling he got when Hachin's parents died. His senses were telling him someone close to him was in danger. He sat down and gently caressed Hachin's clammy forehead. "We should have gone back home. We should go back. Coming here was a mistake,"

Suddenly the sky lit up with a bright flash, and thunder rained down into the ocean.

"This gives me an ominous feeling." He whispered, trying to control his pounding heart.